Share this article

However, it is believed that in 1862, the Count returned home one night to find his wife had been brutally murdered and his daughter was missing.

Later that year, after a lengthy search for his daughter, the Count killed himself in the villa and the property fell into the hands of his brother Biago.

Eerie pictures captured by urban explorers show how the building now lies in ruins with crumbling walls daubed in graffiti and rotting ceilings

The building used to have frescoes adorning the walls and baroque architecture inspired by eastern culture

Locals believe that the house is haunted, saying they can sometimes hear a piano playing, even though it has been smashed

It is believed that in 1862 the Count returned home one night to find his wife had been brutally murdered and his daughter was missing

He lived there, as did his family, until the Second World War but after it failed to sell, it has been abandoned since the 1960s.

Locals believe that the house is haunted, saying they can sometimes hear a piano playing, even though it has been smashed.

And in 2002, huge boulders came hurtling down the mountain during an avalanche, but stopped just short of the villa. However, they destroyed most nearby buildings, adding to the mystery of the property.

In 2002, huge boulders hurtled down the mountain during an avalanche, but stopped just short of the villa. However, they destroyed most nearby buildings, adding to the mystery of the property

The once ornate decorations on the walls, left, and fireplace, right, have crumbled. There are currently no plans to restore the property

Most of the photographs here were taken by Jeff Kerwin, who made a detour to the villa while on a recent trip to Milan. He told MailOnline Travel: 'I've long had a fascination with both beautiful older-style architecture and abandoned buildings. Villa De Vecchi hit home with me on both fronts. Plus it has a fascinating and very tragic history'

The view out from the top of Villa de Vecchi. The property has been set within 13,000 acres of land